Iran Opens ‘Safe Shipping Corridor’ In Strait Of Hormuz For Selected Vessels, But There’s A Catch

Iran has introduced a controlled "safe shipping corridor" through the Strait of Hormuz, offering selected vessels a monitored route inside its territorial waters as tensions continue to unsettle one of the world's most critical global oil and gas chokepoints.

The move comes at a time when maritime traffic through the narrow waterway remains sharply reduced, with shipowners increasingly cautious due to regional security risks.

Unlike a fully open transit lane, the new passage is only available to vessels that secure prior approval from Iranian authorities, making it a highly selective and tightly managed alternative for ships seeking to avoid disruptions in the Gulf.

How ships are currently being allowed through the Strait of Hormuz

Under the current system, ships must undergo a vetting process before they are allowed to use the Iranian corridor. The arrangement is not automatic, and shipping operators are required to seek clearance in advance before entering the route.

Several countries, including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia and China, are currently in talks with Tehran to coordinate safe passage for their vessels through the strait. The system is being overseen by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is developing a registration process for ships that want approval.

Operators must provide detailed information about the vessel, including ownership details, cargo carried and final destination, usually through intermediaries before the transit is authorised. For now, approvals are reportedly being handled on a case-by-case basis, although maritime reports indicate that a more structured and formal approval system may be rolled out in the coming days.

IRGC supervision and India-linked vessels among those already using route

At least nine ships have already used the corridor, according to reports, travelling close to Iran's Larak Island where the IRGC Navy and Iranian port authorities conduct visual inspections before allowing further movement.

Among the vessels that have successfully used the route were three India-flagged gas tankers, Shivalik, Nanda Devi and Jag Laadki. All three reportedly completed transit through the strait using the Iranian-controlled passage and later arrived in India.

Shipping data suggests these tankers avoided the shorter and more commonly used route through Omani waters. Instead, they passed through Iranian territorial waters under official supervision. Other vessels, including bulk carriers and tankers, are also believed to have followed similar paths in recent days as operators search for safer options amid ongoing tensions.

Costly approvals and questions over how "safe" the corridor really is

Despite being presented as a safer alternative, the corridor has already sparked concerns in the shipping industry over both cost and reliability.

According to a report by Lloyd's List, at least one tanker operator is believed to have paid around $2 million to secure safe passage. In many cases, approvals are said to have been arranged through diplomatic coordination rather than through a fully standardised commercial process.

Experts have cautioned that even with Iranian clearance, safety cannot be guaranteed. They note that approval from one set of Iranian authorities does not necessarily prevent other IRGC units from delaying, detaining or even seizing vessels, which leaves significant uncertainty for operators and insurers.

That uncertainty is especially significant for international shipping firms, many of which are already grappling with rising war-risk premiums, rerouting costs and fears of escalation in the Gulf.

Geopolitical tensions keep overall Hormuz traffic subdued

The new corridor has also raised wider geopolitical concerns, particularly because the Strait of Hormuz remains central to global energy flows. While the United States is reportedly allowing limited transits for now to avoid severe disruptions to oil and gas supply chains, analysts believe Washington may not tolerate any long-term arrangement that allows Tehran to exercise stronger control over the strategic waterway.

Any move by Iran to expand or institutionalise control over traffic through the strait could intensify tensions and potentially trigger diplomatic or military responses.

For now, many shipowners, especially those linked to Western markets or Western insurers, remain reluctant to use the route. But operators with commercial links to Iran, or those facing fewer geopolitical restrictions, may continue to assess it as a workable option.

Even with the corridor in place, overall traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains low. Recent shipping data indicates that only a limited number of vessels are currently making the transit, reflecting how fragile confidence remains in the region.

Iran has denied accusations that it is blocking the strait and has insisted that it supports free and safe navigation. Tehran has instead blamed the current disruption on escalating regional tensions and what it describes as external military actions.